Positioning apparatus for dental x-ray procedures

ABSTRACT

A dental bite block ( 20 ) and sensor holder ( 21 ) assembly ( 11 ) has a bite block ( 20 ) configured ( 31 ) to detachably affix to a sensor holder ( 21 ). Affixing surfaces ( 30, 31 ) are provided between the bite block ( 20 ) and the sensor holder ( 21 ) such that the sensor holder ( 21 ) is removably affixed to the bite block ( 20 ). An alternative guide arm ( 100 ) has more than one attachment site ( 101   a   , 101   b ) for removably affixing a sensor holder ( 102, 103, 104 ) to the guide arm ( 100 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is a sensor holder apparatus having a bite blockand aiming ring mounted to a guide arm, for use during dental x-rayprocedures. More particularly, the invention is a modular bite block andsensor holder assembly having a sensor support or guide arm, such that agiven sensor can be used with bite blocks for different x-rayprocedures. Also, provided is an improved aiming ring for use in dentalx-ray procedures. Sensor holders of various designs can be removablyaffixed to more than one location on the support arm, facilitating aplurality of dental x-ray procedures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dental radiographs are made using x-ray examination units, oftenincluding an x-ray cone or tube positioned proximate the patient andaligned to take x-rays of certain teeth. Dental x-ray sensors, includingfilms, charge coupled devices, phosphor imaging plates or the like,often have a generally flat or plate-like configuration and standardizeddimensions so that the sensor can be placed into the oral cavity.

The sensor is placed into the patient's mouth and held in placeproximate to the tooth or teeth to be examined. The x-ray's are directedthrough the target teeth and then through the sensor. It has been foundthat proper orientation of the sensor is required to eliminatedistortions and improper focus.

To ensure proper orientation of the sensor, sensor carriers with “biteblocks” have been developed. These devices often have a plate forholding the sensor and another plate that the patient bites down upon toposition the device and the carried sensor. A bite block is shown forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,026.

Different sensors are often used depending upon the area of the mouth tobe examined. This may include for example, endo, posterior, anterior,left, right, upper and lower bite wings, and the like. Known bite blocksand sensor holders have been individually designed and manufactured foreach different type of sensor. The dimensions of the sensor and theholder dictate the degree of secured positioning of the sensor in theholder.

A dental professional may have a large number of x-ray sensors withvarying sizes and shapes, and hence, a similarly large number of sensorholders. The dental professional is often faced with employing adifferent sensor or set of sensors, holders and bite blocks dependingupon the particular x-ray procedure being employed. At best, it is timeconsuming to change between sensors, sensor holders and bite blocks.

A need exists therefore, for a sensor holder/bite block assembly orapparatus, which will accommodate different sizes and shapes of x-raysensors. It has also been found that a need exits for an aiming ringthat will accommodate more than one size or shape of dental x-raycollimator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a dental x-ray bite block.It is another object of the invention to provide a bite block having anx-ray sensor holder.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a bite block andsensor holder assembly, which can be employed to hold a variety ofsensors of different shapes or sizes.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a modular biteblock which will detachably connect to a sensor holder.

These and other objects of the present invention, as well as theadvantages thereof over existing art forms, which will become apparentin view of the following specification are accomplished by meanshereinafter described and claimed.

In general, a dental bite block and sensor holder assembly comprises abite block configured to detachably affix to a sensor holder. Affixingmeans are provided between the bite block and the sensor holder suchthat the sensor holder is removably affixed to the bite block.

Preferred forms of the subject dental bite block and sensor holderassembly are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, andare deemed sufficient to affect a full disclosure of the invention. Theexemplary assembly is described in detail without attempting to show allof the various forms and modifications in which the invention might beembodied; the invention being measured by the appended claims and not bythe details of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a bite block and sensor holderassembly, embodying the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative embodiment of abite block and sensor holder assembly, also embodying the concepts ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of another alternative embodimentof a bite block and sensor holder assembly, also embodying the conceptsof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the sensor holder portion of theinvention as depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of an aiming ring and bite blockassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of an aiming ring and bite blockassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sensorfolder assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an alternative embodiment of an aiming ring and bite blockassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an assembly as in FIG. 7 showing theassembly in a different configuration than FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is view of a support or guide arm according to an embodiment ofthe present invention and showing an aiming ring affixed thereto.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An x-ray sensor-positioning device according to the invention isgenerally designated by the number 10 on the attached drawings. Assembly10 is preferably configured to have a conventional dental x-ray supportor guide arm 12. An exemplary guide arm and its use with a bite blockfor taking a dental x-ray is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,026, which isincorporated by reference for its disclosure of a guide arm and biteblock. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, guide arm 12 may be configured to beaffixable to an x-ray tube collimator-positioning ring 13 in aconventional manner. Such a ring is also shown for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 3,473,026 and, U.S. Des. 237,016 which are incorporated by referencefor disclosure of such a ring.

Aiming ring 13 a, FIG. 5, shows a plurality of regularly spaced,opposing steps 13 b for receiving and registering a collimator (notshown). One set of such steps is known in the art (see for example, U.S.Des. 237,016). One embodiment of the present invention employs two setsof steps 13 b in order to allow registration of more than one size ofcollimator. Although it is preferred to “concentrically” arrange one setof steps 13 b within another, sets of steps 13 b can be offset ifdesired. Grooves 14 can be provided in the exterior diameter of aimingring 13 a, such that an x-ray tubehead (not shown) can be aligned towholly encompass whatever x-ray sensor is held by positioning device 10.

A bite block and sensor holder assembly 11 is provided as part of device10, and includes a bite block 20 and a sensor holder 21 (FIG. 1). Biteblock 20 is generally configured for use in a specific x-ray procedure.For example, bite block 20 in FIG. 1 is of a configuration useful for anendo x-ray. Bite block 20 a (FIG. 2) is suited for use in taking abitewing x-ray, and FIG. 3 shows a bite block 20 b useful in taking ananterior or posterior x-ray image. Each bite block 20, 20 a and 20 bserve the same function, which is providing an area that is clampedbetween a patient's teeth. Given the requirements of a specific x-rayhowever, different shapes of bite blocks are required. The inventionwill be exemplified herein with reference to bite block 20 of FIG. 1 forpurposes of this discussion (unless otherwise noted), it beingunderstood that the invention is equally useful with bite blocks 20 a,20 b or indeed, any conventional bite block shape or size withoutlimitation.

There is removably attached to bite block 20 the sensor holder 21. It islikely that a dental professional will use one size and shape of sensor,be it x-ray film, CCD or phosphor plate technology for different x-rays(endo, anterior, posterior, bitewing or the like). Before the presentinvention, it would be standard practice for the dental professional tohave a variety of bite block/sensor holders integrally formed together.According to the present invention, the sensor holder 21 and the biteblock 20 are not integrally formed but rather detachably affixed.Further, the structure to attach a sensor holder 21 to a bite block 20(which will be discussed and exemplified below), is the same no matterwhat the shape of the given bite block 20, 20 a or 20 b. In this manner,it will be appreciated that a single sensor holder can be used to attachto a different bite block 20, 20 a or 20 b. This is termed a “modular”design for purposes of this discussion. It will also be appreciated thata bite block may be used with different sizes and shapes of sensorholders. Again, the invention will be exemplified herein with respect toa single sensor holder 21.

To be detachably affixed to a bite block 20, sensor holder 21 must beprovided with attachment means that correspond to attachment meanscarried by the bite block 20. By providing bite block 20 with the sameattachment means as bite blocks having other shapes, such as bite blocks20 a and 20 b, the same sensor 21 can be detachably affixed to any biteblock 20, 20 a or 20 b, or indeed, any bite block carrying the sameattachment means.

Any attachment means between sensor holder 21 and bite block 20 iswithin the scope of the invention, the only criteria being that the twocomponents be held securely with respect to each other and that they beremovable. Again, this aspect is termed being “modular” in design. Apreferred attachment means is a complex profile or tab 30 carried bysensor holder 21 and an at least partially corresponding slot 31 carriedby bite block 20. It is understood that bite block 20 could easily beconfigured to carry complex profile 30 and that sensor holder 21 couldcarry slot 31 and still be within the scope of the invention. Theinvention will be exemplified with sensor 21 carrying complex profile30.

By “complex profile” it is meant a plurality of surfaces, such assurfaces 30 a-30 f (FIG. 1) each at some angle to at least one other.Complex profile tabs 30 and corresponding slots 31 can also be round andstill fall within the scope of the definition of “complex profile”.Surfaces 30 a-f of complex profile 30 need not necessarily be linear,but may be curvilinear, such as surface 30 g, or even round. By “slot”it is meant some surface such as surface 31 a configured to receive atleast one surface of complex profile 30 such as surface 30 c.

Preferably, slot 31 is configured to receive complex profile 30 in sucha manner that a plurality of surfaces 30 a-f physically engage or touchslot 31 and at least some other portion of bite block 20. By properlyconfiguring the actual dimensions of these components, sensor 21 can beheld securely to bite block 20. The fit between complex profile 30 andslot 31 may also be a friction fit. It will be appreciated that tosecure sensor 21 to bite block 20, complex profile 30 is received withinslot 31. To detach or remove sensor 21 from bite block 20, it is merelynecessary to slide complex profile 30 from slot 31.

An alternative embodiment of slot 31 is shown by way of example in FIG.3 as slot 40. Slot 40 is itself also of a “complex profile”substantially corresponding in shape and dimension to the shape anddimension of complex profile 30.

It is also to be appreciated that complex profile 30 may be configuredto have a plurality of arms 50 and 51, each carrying its own complexprofile 30. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings,sensor 21 has two arms 50 and 51, it being understood that any number ofarms is within the scope of the invention. It is also to be appreciatedthat any means of detachably affixing sensor 21 to bite block 20 iswithin the scope of the invention. This may include bolts, screws, nuts,locking mechanisms, or the like without limitation, all of which arewithin the scope of the invention and the term “modular.”

Sensor holder 21 will be configured to receive one or more sensors. Forexample, in the sensor 21 depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a back support 60 andclip arms 61, 62 are employed. A sensor (not shown) can be securedwithin sensor 21. Because any sensor holder of any configuration iswithin the scope of the invention, and because such sensor holders areconventional in the art, no specific sensor holder, or bit block, isnecessarily a limitation of the present invention.

For example, FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of a sensor holder21 a. Sensor holder 21 a is configured with a back support 60 similar toback support 60 of sensor 21. However, in place of clip arms 61 and 62of sensor 21, sensor 21 a is provided with upper clip arm 70, generallyopposing a lower clip arm 71. A conventional sensor (again, not show) issupported between clip arms 70, 71 and back support 60. Otherwise,sensor 21 a is substantially similar in its modular design to sensor 21.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a bitewing block 80. Bitewing80 is provided with a groove 81 on the bite surface 82 to help the userin positioning a sensor (not shown) held by block 80. Groove 81 helps toregister which such a sensor. It will also be appreciated that block 80is of an overall thin design, allowing for greater patient comfort ascompared to prior bite blocks.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a guide arm100 may be provided with a plurality of attachment sites 101 a and 101 bfor a given sensor holder 102, 103 and 104 (FIGS. 7-16). In theembodiment shown in the drawings, an attachment site 101 a or 101 b mayinclude one or more pins 110 which can be physically received within acorresponding aperture 120 in a given sensor holder 102-104. In thepreferred embodiment, the pins are retained within a given aperture 120by a friction fit, which may be overcome by a user to remove the sensorholder 102-104 therefrom if desired. As will be appreciated, the sizeand shape of pins 110 and apertures 120 may vary, and other means ofaffixing a sensor holder 102-104 to a site 101 a, 101 b or a guide arm100 may be employed and still be within the scope of the invention. Byproviding a plurality of attachment sites 101 a, 101 b a plurality ofdental x-ray images may be taken with the same components. For example,anterior, posterior and bitewing images may be taken. It is an advantageto the user that all such images may be taken with the use of one guidearm 100. By using one guide arm 100, less cleaning and expense isrequired on behalf of the dental professional. The chances of spreadingcommunicable diseases and germs between patients is reduced because asmaller number of components are needed for a given x-ray procedure. Itwill be further appreciated that various components for differentassemblies can be provided in a kit form, allowing the professional totake different x-ray images employing a single guide arm and othercomponents.

According to an embodiment of the invention, various components can becolor-coded or provided with other indicia (not shown) to indicate whichsensor holder is used for a given x-ray procedure. Pins 110 of a givensite 101 a or 101 b may be so coded to indicate which sensor holder102-104 is used for the desired procedure.

In still another embodiment of the invention, a guide ring 130 isprovided with a plurality of journals 140 for receiving guide arm 100therein in preferably, a friction fit manner. Journals 140 may also becoded such as by color or other indicia (not shown) in order to indicatewhich journal is used for a given x-ray procedure, as with the othersuch coded components discussed hereinabove.

Based upon the foregoing disclosure, it should now be apparent that theuse of the modular bite block, sensor holder assembly and guide armdescribed herein will carry out the objects set forth hereinabove. Itis, therefore, to be understood that any variations evident fall withinthe scope of the claimed invention and thus, the selection of specificcomponent elements or parts can be determined without departing from thespirit of the invention herein disclosed and described. Thus, the scopeof the invention shall include all modifications and variations that mayfall within the scope of the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A kit for use in dental imaging procedures toalign an image receptor holder with a collimator while taking an imageof a patient's dentition; the kit comprising a support arm and aplurality of image receptor holders wherein at least two of said imagereceptor holders are used to take images of different parts of thepatient's dentition; said support arm comprising at least a firstattachment pin and a second attachment pin; each of said plurality ofimage receptors having a pin-receiving aperture for receiving at leastone of said attachment pins; such that one of said at least two of saidimage receptor holders is removably affixed to said support arm byreceiving said first attachment pin within said aperture therein, andthe other of said at least two of said image receptor holders isremovably affixed to said support arm by receiving said secondattachment pin within said aperture therein.
 2. A kit as in claim 1,wherein plurality of image receptor holders include at least one saidholder for taking of an anterior, posterior and bite-wing image of thepatient's dental arch.
 3. A kit as in claim 1 wherein said support armcomprises a first attachment pin mate pin.
 4. A kit as in claim 1wherein said support arm comprises a second attachment pin mater pin. 5.A kit as in claim 1 wherein said support arm comprises a bar with aplurality of bends such that said bar has at least one planar dimension.6. A kit as in claim 5, wherein at least one of said attachment pins isalso within said planar dimension.
 7. A kit as in claim 6 wherein saidsupport arm comprises at least a first and a second bend, such that saidbar has a first length contiguously formed with a first bend elbow, saidfirst bend elbow contiguously formed with an second length, said secondlength contiguously formed with a second bend elbow, and said secondbend elbow being contiguously formed with a third length.
 8. A kit as inclaim 7 wherein said first attachment pin is affixed to said firstlength and said second attachment pin is affixed to said third length.9. A kit as in claim 1, wherein said first or second pin isindicia-coded with a complementary one of said image receptor holders.10. A kit as in claim 1, further comprising a collimator ring.
 11. A kitas in claim 10 wherein said collimator ring has a collimator positioningring and a support arm receiving socket.
 12. A kit as in claim 11wherein said collimator ring is round, oval, square, rectangular,trapezoidal or triangular in shape.
 13. A kit as in claim 12 whereinsaid collimator ring comprises a plurality of said support arm receivingsockets such that the collimator may be aligned in one of a likeplurality number of positions.
 14. A method of taking dental images of apatient's dentition comprising the step of: providing a support armhaving a plurality of image receptor holder attachment points, each saidattachment point enabling the taking of a preselected dental image. 15.A method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of removablyaffixing an image receptor holder to said support arm at one of saidattachment points.
 16. A method as in claim 15 wherein each saidattachment point comprises at least one attachment pin configured to bereceived within a complementary-shaped aperture in at least one of saidimage receptor holders.
 17. A method as in claim 16 wherein said supportarm comprises at least two of said attachment pins at least one of saidattachment points, and said image receptor holder comprises at least tocomplementary said apertures.
 18. A method as in claim 17 wherein saidsupport arm comprises at least two of said sets of pins, such that atleast one of said image receptor holders can be removably affixed to oneof said at least two sets of pins and at least one other of said imagereceptor holders can be removably affixed to the other of said at leasttwo sets of pins.